you definitely should not choose your college based on their paintball program. No offense to the NCPA, but the competition isn't that good and it is not a feeder league in to the pros. It is simply a way for college paintball players to have fun while representing their school in a competitive fashion. So I would definitely consider other factors before that, that should be one of, if not the last, your least concerns of what you want in a college. But putting all that aside, I guess Penn State has one of the better programs...

I really hope that this isn't the only thing u see college as, college paintball isn't a sport given scholarships or a way to make it to a pro divisional level, it's a club recognized by many colleges and collegiate players are lucky enough that there are tournaments nationally for us to play. Look at your education first and decide a major and look at a college with a better program for your major.

If you live in NJ you should consider Rutgers. Great school, and they have a well established paintball club to boot.

Anyway, if those are the schools that you have been accepted to, look into their academics first and foremost. Have you decided what kind of career path you are leaning toward? Of those schools, which one suits your academic interests the best? Which will help you get a job the most? Have any of these colleges/universities offered you scholarships or any sort of money?

If you want an engineering degree and definitely don't want loans check New Mexico Tech. Its a tough school, but is one of the most valuable engineering programs in the nation and isn't super expensive.

Pick a school that has the best program for your major, paintball is just a bonus if they offer it. I told many of kids at my home field when they ask me about the ncpa, Its fun, but education is number 1 and hopefully helps to land you a well paying job and you can ball with out scraping up change from under the sofa cushions

I disagree. There are lots of experiences in college that are important beyond just learning stuff and getting a degree.

BUT.....

Still don't pick a college based on paintball.

Hell, you might have more fun going to a college with no paintball program and creating one. My tenure on the Illinois college team (as a team captain) came up in my job interviews, and I wasn't even the President. Showing you can organize something from nothing is a good resume item to have.

I don't agree that a community college can provide you the same education or opportunities that a regular or top-tier college can.

The experiences you'll have living on-campus away from home are different than commuting to school from home.

The equipment you'll have access to will be different. I did Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois. It was the #2 program after MIT at the time. I got to muck around with cutting-edge equipment, including one of the very first immersive-3D environments (the CAVE), because the NCSA was at UIUC. And there were tons of labs and other equipment and research opportunities you just wouldn't get outside of a university environment. That said, that wouldn't be true for an accounting degree.

What kind of social environment do you like? There are liberal arts schools with less than 1,000 students where you'll know nearly everyone in your class. Or there are places like Penn State where you'll always meet someone new at the bar.

What kind of opportunities are you looking for? I spent a year "studying" in Europe, and the German government paid for a good portion of it.

All that said, maybe don't go to college at all. College will take up at least 4 years of your life and cost you $15,000 to $50,000 a year, depending on tuition and your level of scholarships. You could instead get a job in a career path you want that pays you money. Go to hollywood and get a tiny apartment you share with 3 other people and be a production assistant and in 4 years you might be on the path to being someone. There will also never be a shortage of jobs for electricians or plumbers.

What I can absolutely, positively, say, is do not go to college to get a degree that doesn't result in high earnings after college. No english degrees, no history degrees, no art degrees, etc, unless you're a girl looking to marry-up. One possible exception is a music performance major if you really, really are that good.

The last thing you want is to graduate college with $50k in debt and an English major that entitles you to be an insurance agent or car salesman.